Applications for the local Christmas with a Cop program are now available and being accepted for this year’s event, which will be held next month.

The applications are available at the Madison Police Department, 101 W. Main St., the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, 300 E. Main St., or the Clearinghouse of Jefferson County, 100 E. Second St.

Completed applications should be turned in by 4 p.m. on Dec. 2.Madison Police Detective Jonathon Simpson said applications ask for basic information about the prospective participants, as well as other information including a parent or guardian’s job history and the family’s financial need. The application also includes a short narrative portion which will be considered during the review process, Simpson said.Applicants must be Jefferson County residents. The program is open to children ages 3 to 13, and children should be able to be present during the event which will be held in mid-December.

Those served by Christmas with a Cop last year or who will be receiving holiday assistance from other area organizations this year may be ineligible for the program.Simpson said there is no set goal for the event, but officers hope to help about 40 families through the program.Officials raise funds throughout the year to use for the program, Simpson said, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1969 – one of the program’s biggest contributors – raised more than $4,100 during the annual poker run and auction for the event.

Organizers continue to accept donations for the holiday assistance program. Anyone wishing to make a monetary donation to the program may stop by the Madison Police Department or the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office or make a donation directly to the Christmas with a Cop account at any local German American branch location.

The event is sponsored by the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #128. Last year, Madison Police, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department, Hanover Police, Indiana State Police, state parole officials, the jail division, dispatchers and law enforcement office administration officials helped during the shopping event.